Pat, I am very intrigued by your note. I research all the DOSS families, including those in Jackson Co. The Pittsylvania Co. Va. Doss family was closely allied with their neighbors, the Dillards. I don't recognize the given names John or Joseph in that family, but I haven't researched them closely. Hugh Phillips is another name often associated with the Doss familiy, particularly in early North Carolina. We believe that the Jackson Co. Doss families left Va. ca. 1780 and settled for a while in North Carolina, then in western South Carolina, before moving to Jackson Co. ca. 1800. You say you find your ancestor in the "Doster" cemetery -- I wonder if this might be Doss instead? The Doss family lived around Talmo, Jackson Co. Somewhere in the blurr of e-mail that went past me in the last week or so was a note which said the Stoneham family was from Pittsylvania Co. The Dillard's of Pittsylvania were comparatively well-to-do and included the local militia company captain during the Revolution. They may well be worth your investingation. The note from Harry pointing out that a deceased person who left a will has an executor while one who died intestate has an administrator was exactly right. That is the definition of those terms. But the fact that a person died without a will does not mean there are no records. The Jackson Co. courthouse has wonderful records. Check there for administrator's accounting reports and also for division of property among the heirs. Very often more can be learned about people who died intestate than from wills -- you just have to work a little harder to find the old records at the courthouse. It seems very unusual that the administrator had his own name and office engraved on the tombstone. That could indicate the deceased had no close family, or it might point to a big family fight that would enlighten you. If you are lucky, the fight ended up in court and there will be lots of old records just waiting to "explain it all to you." Libbie Griffin Doss Family Association >Hi, I am searching for info on John Hansel Dillard. This information I can >verify. Jane Dillard Stoneham (b 1765 Va) moved to Jackson Co Ga abt 1801. >Jane's father is Joseph Dillard. Jane had a brother John Dillard. John Hansel >Dillard is buried in the Doster Family Cemetery in Jackson Co Ga. His >headstone reads " 1 July 1917, 67 yrs old,Erected by Hugh Phillips >Administrator of His Estate". So John Hansel had a will, probably in Jackson >Co Ga. I think John Hansel is possibly a son or grandson of Jane's brother >John. Hansel may be maiden name of John Hansel's mother or grandmother. Why >is he buried in Doster Family Cemetery with no other known relatives. Why was >his headstone erected by the administrator of his estate. Any help will be >greatly appreciated. Pat